A national survey reveals state education agencies are contributing to the growth of educational computing by mandating computer use in schools and inservice and preservice training for teachers. They also allocate funds and provide a coordinating role where local user groups have initiated school programs. (MBR)

Presents a practical viewpoint of the economic necessities of funding education and a general model for restoring economic stability. This involves a fixed "Basic Education Budget" not subject to voter approval, an "Index for Fixed School Costs" based on socioeconomic status of the community, and increased community…

The increasing dependency of community colleges on state funding has led to a parallel increase in state intrusion into institutional decision making. If trustees are to head off this intrusion, they must carefully develop sound institutional goals and priorities and must become active lobbyists on their behalf. (DC)

This report presents annual data on the amount of financial assistance--grants, loans, and work-study--available to help students pay for postsecondary education. The College Board began this data series in 1983 to track the value of such aid over time from federal, state, and institutional sources. This year, information on federal education tax…

This paper examines the forces behind political integration through the lens of school district consolidations, which reduced the number of school districts in the United States from around 130,000 in 1930 to under 15,000 at present. Despite this large observed decline, many districts resisted consolidation before ultimately merging and others…

Every Year, thousands of American children enter school already behind. Although most Americans are aware of that fact, what they often don't know, is that instead of organizing our educational systems to make things better for these children, we organize systems of public education in ways that make things worse. This report is unique among…

Washington's research university branch campuses were created in 1989 to increase opportunities for students in several regions of the state to complete their baccalaureate and graduate-level studies at public universities close to their homes. Currently, the University of Washington operates branch campuses in Bothell and Tacoma. The Bothell…

This report not only proposes a method to determine how much money is required to give Wisconsin's children an equal opportunity at educational proficiency, it also explores ways the money should be distributed. The first two chapters summarize the current situation regarding school finance and the history of the current fiscal crisis, paying…

Parents in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have more tax-supported educational choices than parents in other cities. Most programs were enacted during the 1990s. Opponents believed these programs would harm the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), but 11 years of data show positive trends. MPS enrollment increased by 4,576 students since 1990. Real spending per…

This issue, the fifth in a series on demographic forces shaping U.S. education, highlights the persistence of poverty, examining the experiences of one Kentucky school system. Wolfe County, Kentucky, uses education to lift its children out of poverty. This extremely poor county is as poor as it ever was (which is also true in central cities and…

This volume includes six papers from the 1999 and 2000 Summer Data Conferences that address a variety of educational finance topics intended to promote the exchange of ideas among researchers and policymakers. After the introduction and overview by William J. Fowler, Jr., the six essays are: (1) "Evaluating School Performance: Are We Ready for…

The convergence of US federal science and economic policy that began in earnest in the Reagan administration formed the first stage in an emerging post-Cold War drive toward technological innovation. A frenzy of new state-based initiatives now forms the Second Stage, further promoting universities as decisive tools for economic competitiveness.…

In a state as large and complex as California, education financing can become as complicated as rocket science. This two-page Q&A provides a brief, easy-to-understand explanation of California's school finance system and introduces the issues of its adequacy and equity. A list of resources providing additional information is provided.

This report on an NREC project is concerned to explore the existing arrangements for funding students with a disability in vocational education and training throughout Australia; and also with possible alternative arrangements. The project surveyed the limited existing literature and outlined the existing funding arrangements, based on written…

The history of the Bowie State University School of Education is traced from very humble beginnings in 1865 with its formation to provide teachers for Freedmen following the Civil War to a School of Education in a comprehensive university. Maryland Archives, student publications, college catalogues, legislative and other records were searched to…